You might think you're a laundry whizz, with your spot-on colour coordination and knack for picking the perfect detergent.

Yet, have you ever paused to ponder whether you're popping your agents into the correct compartment of your detergent drawer?

It appears many are blissfully unaware that these compartments serve distinct purposes – a fact that comes as an eye-opener for some.

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But don't worry, it's never too late to pick up new tricks. has stepped up to shed light on this issue for those in the dark about their detergent drawers.

Remember, the design and layout of these compartments may vary depending on your washing machine model, so checking out the manual is a smart move.

In her enlightening TikTok clip, Elle points out that the first compartment, typically the biggest, is intended for washing powder.

She advises: "Do a cup full or however much you think is enough," based on the size of your wash load.

This slot is also apt for liquid detergent, which gets dispensed early during the washing cycle.

The second compartment, often marked with a line to indicate the maximum fill level, is designed for fabric softener. It's a smaller compartment because only a small amount of fabric softener is needed, if any.

The third slot of the washing machine drawer, usually second-largest, is actually designed for pre-wash solutions like stain removers. To make use of it, simply pop your preferred pre-wash product in there before kicking off the wash cycle.

Washing machine compartments vary per model, but they usually have handy symbols to guide users.

A single bar stands for the pre-wash section, double bars represent the main wash detergent compartment, and a floral symbol shows where to pour the fabric softener.

This knowledge has left many gobsmacked upon realising their laundry faux pas. Sharing their astonishment, one person said: "OMG I've been putting my powder in the wrong drawer."

Another humorously admitted: "I just wing it and hope for the best."

And someone else chimed in with an epiphany: "Yeah I've been doing this all wrong."